Riots in town

On Friday, I was going to embark on my first real drive into "town"- a much noisier, crowded, busy place than the part of Mombasa I usually drive in. I was going to take our friends, the Browns, to a fast food place with a play area for our kids.

We got turned back by all the commercial vehicles, and had to deviate into other parts of town, some roads resembling alleys more than actual streets. Thankfully, Justin had a better sense of direction than I, and we headed home after we received a call from Josh, saying to come home because there was fighting in town.

Apparently the police were trying to get rid of the hawkers, who decided to fight back, and cars were being burned. You could see the smoke from our house. Thankfully, God paved the way, and we got home without a problem.

Goat Slaughtering in English Class

Some teachers have to put up with distracting, unruly students. I have to put up with animals being slaughtered outside my classroom window.

Right behind our classrooms is an apartment complex, with a parking garage on the bottom floor. Apparently, since nobody has a car, it's an excellent space to wash clothes, and prepare food..... from scratch.... Today during class, we had to talk over the bleating of a goat, who was slaughtered, strung up, skinned and gutted- all while we talked about God's plan for our life.

Perhaps the plan for the goat's life was lunch.

Back in the Driver's Seat

So today I drove in Kenya for the first time since we have arrived back. I only had two rules to remember- 1) Stay left, and 2) Use the horn. And don't get hit... or hit anybody.,.. OK, so maybe more than two rules.

I forgot how much I need to use all my mirrors to drive here, and almost rear-ended a casket hanging out the back of a sedan. Except for dishonoring the dead, there might have been worse things I could have almost run into....

All said and done, I got back home safely with my groceries, and didn't have any incidents. I pray harder living in Kenya, that's for sure.

At home in Kenya

We have arrived! After 2 eight-hour flights, with only a very short layover in London, we arrived in Nairobi, with luggage and sanity intact. We had a good 3 days with my parents, and celebrated Caleb's first birthday (a little early). We got to Mombasa on Monday, and hit the ground running! We are still unpacking our 12 bags (they allowed us TOO much luggage) and trying to get our house back in order.

Lighthouse Bible School started yesterday, and I had my first class of English today- I loved it! I have 9 students, and am excited to see what this year brings.

The kids are loving being back- since in Mombasa, they have shared a room and both slept all the way through the night!! Caleb is busy exploring our house, and we have realized we have to find a way to block our stairs- he's earning himself the nickname "Bruiser!"

Until next time, content and almost over jet-lag, Maggie